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The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings
(formerly "The Five Wonderful Precepts")
The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings below are Zen Master Thich Nhat's
Hanh's translation of the 5 basic precepts as taught by the Buddha Shakyamuni.
The Buddha offered these precepts to both his ordained and lay followers so that
they could have clear guidelines to lead mindful and joyful lives on the path to
awakening. Thich Nhat Hanh has updated the precepts so that they are beautifully
appropriate and relevant in today's society. In his book entitled "For a Future
to be Possible", Thich Nhat Hanh describes in detail how the Five Wonderful
Mindfulness Trainings can be used by anyone in today's world to create a more
harmonious and peaceful life.)
The First Mindfulness Training:
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate
compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and
minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to
condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 1st Precept.
The Second Mindfulness Training:
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and
oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the
well being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I vow to practice generosity
by sharing my time, energy and material resources with those who are in real
need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should
belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent
others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on
Earth.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 2nd Precept.
The Third Mindfulness Training:
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate
responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of
individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in
sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the
happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and
the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children
from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by
sexual misconduct.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 3rd Precept.
The Fourth Mindfulness Training:
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to
others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring
joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that
words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully,
with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to
spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn
things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause
division or discord, or that can cause the family or community to break. I will
make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 4th Precept.
The Fifth Mindfulness Training:
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good
health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by
practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items
that preserve peace, well-being and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in
the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined
not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items
that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and
conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these
poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future
generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in
myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I
understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the
transformation of society.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on
the 5th Precept.
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